What is an Ankle/Brachial Index Test?
Also known as an ABI, this exam is used to diagnose peripheral vascular disease. Peripheral vascular disease affects a large portion of the general population, more so in patients with known cardiac disease. You may have talked to your physician about swelling, redness, pain or cramping you are experiencing when you exercise or even while at rest. This pain can be intermittent or constant.

What should I expect during the exam?
Blood pressure cuffs are placed in various positions on your arms and legs and pressures are taken in these areas. You may experience some discomfort during the inflation of each cuff, similar to when a standard blood pressure measurement is taken. Measurements are taken once prior to walking on the treadmill and again after 5 minutes of walking on the treadmill. This exam is approximately 30 minutes long.

How should I prepare for the exam?
Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Otherwise there is no preparation necessary for this exam.

What is a Carotid Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is sound waves used to produce images of structures within the body. This test is done to assess your carotid artery system for narrowing of the arteries and possible blockages. There are four arteries on each side of your neck that are checked: the common carotid artery, the internal artery, and external artery and the vertebral artery.

The carotid artery system supplies your brain with blood. Excessive narrowing or blockages may lead to TIA’s or strokes. A TIA is a mini stroke due to a brief reduction in blood flow where symptoms last only a few minutes. A stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of blood due to a blockage in the carotid artery or one of its branches. Your cardiologist can sometimes hear an abnormal sound with their stethoscope placed on your neck. This is called a carotid bruit and can alert the doctor to a possible narrowing. 

What happens during a Carotid Ultrasound?
You will be asked to lie on your back and relax. An instrument called a transducer is placed on your neck and moved up and down your neck to visualize each of the arteries. A carotid ultrasound is not painful. The exam is approximately 30 minutes.

How should I prepare?
Please take all your medications as directed. Please be sure to wear comfortable two piece outfits as you will be asked to undress from the waist up, including jewelry around the area to be scanned. You will be given a paper cape to wear to prevent the gel from getting on your clothing.

What is a Renal Artery Ultrasound?
A renal artery ultrasound images the renal arteries and kidneys in the abdomen. This test helps to determine if there is any arterial disease in the vessels that supply the kidneys.

What happens during the exam?
You will be asked to lie on your back and to turn onto both your right and left side during the exam. The ultrasound itself is painless; however you may feel some pressure from the transducer in the area that is being scanned. This exam is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.  

How should I prepare?
No food or drink 6 hours prior to your exam.
Please take your medications as usual with a small sip of water.